Video: Melita completes €40million mobile network - Ericsson spokesman hails 'challenging project'
Melita has completed a €40 million mobile network investment with the help of Ericsson and will launch full nationwide mobile phone service on Sunday, February 1.
It will thus become Malta’s third full service mobile telephony operator.
Ericsson is a world-leading 3G supplier and its market share for GSM family, including WCDMA is more than 40 percent. Over 1,000 networks in more than 175 countries utilize Ericsson’s network equipment and 40 percent of all mobile calls world-wide are made through Ericsson systems.
Ericsson’s Head of Market for South East Europe, Cesare Avenia, described the Melita Mobile project as “challenging” since Ericsson’s and Melita’s network engineers had to integrate a mobile services network into Melita’s already established fibre-optic cable platform.
Melita Mobile is the first mobile operator in the world to integrate HSPA mobile broadband into a cable platform.
"Ericsson, with its proven broadband solutions and know-how in next-generation telecommunications networks, is providing Melita with the opportunity to generate greater revenue and expand its offerings with the latest mobile broadband services,” Mr Avenia said in a statement.
Melita Chief Operating Officer Stephen Wright said Melita "will rock the market" with substantially cheaper prices for mobile usage.
"Our promise to be cheaper is a long-term commitment and not just a limited time offer. This is the first time that mobile users in Malta will experience the real benefits derived from the liberalisation of telecommunications in Malta” said Mr. Wright.
The company will offer a full service from its first day and has signed almost 600 agreements with third party mobile operators in over 200 countries for a comprehensive international roaming service.
It will also offer customers full integration of four telecommunication and home entertainment services: television, internet, fixed-line telephony and mobile communication.
Its investment also includes a customer experience enhancement programme and follows a recruitment drive which has seen 100 new people employed by Melita in 2008, including 20 new customer assistance officers to help run the company's24 hour-7 days a week customer assistance centre.
New outlets have also been opened in Naxxar, Msida, Paola (due to open shortly) and in the Arrivals Lounge at Malta International Airport.
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a attard
Jan 15th 2009, 12:55
So the benefits of having three competitors would be in the value for money experience I guess - Have to wait and see, as so far there is nothing much be ecstatic about price wise!
Robert Cassar
Jan 15th 2009, 04:49
Its good to have a new competitor in the market but given the arrogance of Melita call agents I will never ever again even think to take any service from them.
p.grima
Jan 15th 2009, 00:46
@-all-
Some wrote about Melita's customer care service.....what customer care service?
James Bonello
Jan 14th 2009, 22:48
I am really looking forward to Melita's mobile service. I used both Go Mobile and Vodafone's mobile telephony services in the last few years and surely am not satisfied. The amount of disconnected calls I get while on the line is frustrating, while tariffs always have some hidden catches in them. I also happen to use the mobile internet services of one of these operatrs. However, one fine day I received a bill which was a shock - much more expensive than the promised rates advertised (and they promote such services as unlimited usage - what a cheek).... and you think that I received any help when calling their customer care.... So - Melita, hope you will stick to what you are promising. If that will be so, I will be one of your first subscribers... the only thing which I would keep will be my current mobile number as everyone knows me on my current number. I also hope you will be offering mobile internet services over 3G.
Alfred Briffa
Jan 14th 2009, 18:05
@ J Camilleri Baron
How I agree with you about the Moaners Brigade!. On these blogs, always the same nothing-to-do moaners who are experts in all matters! And when Melita Cable is the scapegoat one can see the thick venom against this company. It these moaners had the power, they would surely melt Melita Cable into dirty waters...forgetting that more than 300 Maltese compatriots are earning their living from Melita Cable.! Shame on you moaners.
Nadine Borg
Jan 14th 2009, 17:39
You misunderstood me... i said the exact opposite... i said that i will go with whoever is cheaper because I don't honestly expect any business to truly care about me... they care about me enough to keep making money...all of them...so i will go with the cheapest and I know melita will be... they have a track record of being cheaper with telephony...and they will not penetrate the market if they are not cheaper on mobile.... so they will be and I'll be there.
Joseph Schembri
Jan 14th 2009, 17:32
Melita have installed base transmitting stations all over the island ignoring pleas from residents to give them information about the electromagnetic radiation being emitted and its associated hazards. My emails to them remain unanswered - just acknowledged by some button pusher who tells me everything is fine. I urge everyone who lives near a base transmitting station (these are thick pole like structures in high places or on high buildings) to look at the Stewart report: http://www.iegmp.org.uk/
This is a section from the authoritative and widely quoted British report: "We recommend that for all base stations, including those with masts under 15 m, permitted development rights for their erection be revoked and that the siting of all new base stations should be subject to the normal planning process (paragraphs 6.43–6.46 and 6.55–6.62)."
R. Buttigieg
Jan 14th 2009, 17:22
@ Charles P Cilia
I totally agree with you. Melita is insensitive to people's rights and views. The only thing they see is money. I never switch to Melita even if they're the only company to provide mobile service.
Nadine Borg
Jan 14th 2009, 17:02
Mr. Baron could not have put it any better. Let's say all three services suck in customer care.. we know that Go and VF do already...and with TV etc Melita have nothing to brag about either... so the choice is easy...go with the cheapest... and since Melita are not crazy... i'm sure they know that they have no chance of getting into the market if they are not really cheaper.... so I believe that they will be...
for those wondering why they have not divulged their rates yet....have you ever seen what Go do to VF and vice versa...they copy like crazy cats and dogs... Melita are guarding their secret like there's no tomorrow...cause they only get one chance to do this right... and the right way is cheaper and simpler... that makes it better!
J Camilleri Baron
Jan 14th 2009, 16:46
@ I Galea
Please read well.
I didn't write "cheap" but "cheaper". A different meaning altogether.
Cheaper means i pay less for a product/ service without compromising on quality.
To be more precise: at the moment i'm scared to receive my monthly mobile bill. I look forward to pay less for mobile usage and save money in the process.
J Camilleri Baron
Jan 14th 2009, 16:22
well, some people seem to have taken exception to my comments.
six months ago, i wasted one whole month trying to resolve a billing issue with GO, being pushed to and fro from Mr X to Mr Y only to end up back at Mr X. all i asked for was a copy of my own previous bill. A meanial request but yet it took me a month to get my bill.
So to all those hwo write in this blog implying that GO has a state-of-the-art customer service and Melita have 'it's an end of the world' customer service, just read above to understand that customer service problems exist in every company .... becuase humans are bound to err.
that's why i will simply switch to the cheapest mobile offer ... at least if i can't get good customer care from anyone, i'll be saving some money.
serious competition.....finally.
S Schembri
Jan 14th 2009, 15:52
Melita will be a 3G only network. Both Vodafone and Go back thier 3G network with a proven 2G network. Most of us don't even reliase that when one loses the 3G signal especially indoors it switches automatically to 2G and you can still recieve and make calls.
Melita will have no 2G, so when you lose your 3G signal you will have no reception.
Hopefully Melita will cover this with excellent 3G coverage as from day 1, however I would wait to see some feedback.
In my personal opinion good service is more important then cheap prices.
Mark mealclaff
Jan 14th 2009, 15:14
I hope that Melita does away with Time Limit Top up cards.
It's disgusting that in Malta the Top up cards have a time limit.
In UK cards only expire when the money runs out.
The only condition on UK cards is that one make at least one call or text every 6 months.
lgalea
Jan 14th 2009, 15:11
J Camilleri Baron
Hope you won't join the moaners brigade after trying their "cheap" as you put it service.
D Vella
Jan 14th 2009, 14:45
With the marvelous technology available to Melita, perhaps they will now answer their phones quicker and not leave me waiting for anything up to half an hour listening to their inane music ,interspersed with advertising for their products. What's more their recorded operator's voice is ingratiatingly annoying.
Anyway,how much cheaper?
Joe Pisani
Jan 14th 2009, 13:56
Customer Care is the problem. What is a BMW without an engine. Every time something new comes up Melita always mention the "investment" in customer care .... where is it. I would probably still try you out but you should seriously make some changes internally ... promises and no action will make me think twice.
Charles P Cilia
Jan 14th 2009, 13:45
Melita is arrogant and not for me, ever………unless they change their name and I fail to notice !!!
Liam Kelly
Jan 14th 2009, 13:44
...Is it only me who is suspicious of the term 'much cheaper' being used here? Why on earth don't they give black and white figures on what their tariff's are going to be instead of telling us just 'cheaper' all the time.
Go and Vodafone at least make it crystal clear what they are going to charge you; why can't Melita do the same?
...then again, perhaps im missing something blatently obvious.
I. Galea
Jan 14th 2009, 13:10
@ Mark Bizazza
I totally agree with your comment! Melita's customer care service is absolute rubbish. I have never heard a word in favour of their attitude towards customers. Lord help you if you ever need assistance, because they won't give it to you.
I remember spending hours on end per day calling.....explaining my problem....waiting....having my call transferred to someone "li jista jaqdik ahjar".....being told they'll call me back (they never do).....waiting some more....calling again.....waiting....then being told "il-problema mhix min-naha taghna tafx". all the while, my internet's frantically going on and off like christmas tree lights.
Ericsson or no ericsson, Melita have lost their credibility with me.
T.gauci
Jan 14th 2009, 12:55
i don't think they will do very well. i will never switch to melita service
@J Camilleri Baron
be sure that other companies will reduce their prices as well
Bruno Pisani
Jan 14th 2009, 12:46
On their basic Tv package the charge €7.76 for free to air TV and they also charge €54 to sign up. I think they will have to offer something better in mobile to compete.
john Debattista
Jan 14th 2009, 12:33
Where is the new outlet in Paola ?................
J Camilleri Baron
Jan 14th 2009, 12:17
here we go agian.... the Moaners Brigade....
frankly, whatever you all say, I will just subscribe to whoever gives me the best deal and the best prices. if melita mobile is chepaer, then you have me as a customer.
simple. and i believe that many pthers will follow my thinking especially in these times where saving money has become a prirority....... somehow we have to find a way how to save money to pay our electricity bills
M.Bisazza
Jan 14th 2009, 12:12
Competition is always welcome and will probably lead to better services from one and all, and with lower prices. But judging from the way Melita treated me before I decided to drift away from their services, and the way it is still treating many others I know, I really doubt that these same people will be willing to go back to its fold. Melita had better change its attitude regarding customer care.
a. sciberras
Jan 14th 2009, 12:08
@ p savona:
i doubt that melita will give any customer service whatsoever! they did not give any when they had more competitors with internet , phone and tv services,why should anything change when it comes to mobile? i'm definitely not going to rush for their 'service'. tried their 'services' for internet and tv and regretted it big time! won't risk trying them again!
lgalea
Jan 14th 2009, 11:39
Call the security forces to keep order in the queue.
Paul Savona
Jan 14th 2009, 10:30
The consumers of Malta will welcome a new player into the mobile arena.
Lets hope that they all three operators compete on price and give extra added value to the customers.